Print Size & PPI Calculator
Calculate maximum print dimensions and pixels per inch for your digital photos. Camera presets, viewing distance adjustment, quality grading, and aspect ratio.
What this calculator does
This print size and PPI calculator tells you how large you can print a digital image and what quality to expect. Enter your image pixel dimensions (or choose a camera preset like 24 MP Full Frame or 50 MP Smartphone) and either your desired print width or a target PPI. The tool calculates print size using and rates quality from Excellent (300+ PPI) down to Very Low. Toggle viewing distance to see how far you can push the print based on where it will hang.
Why 300 PPI isn't always necessary
300 PPI became the standard because it exceeds the resolving power of the human eye at typical reading distance (about 12 inches). But most wall art is viewed from 3โ6 feet, where 150โ200 PPI is visually identical to 300. Large-format prints, posters, and banners need even less. Matching PPI to actual viewing distance often doubles or triples the maximum print size from the same fileโwithout any visible loss in sharpness.
PPI vs. DPI
PPI (pixels per inch) is an image propertyโhow many pixels map to one inch of paper. DPI (dots per inch) is a printer propertyโhow many tiny ink drops the printer puts down per inch. A 300 PPI file sent to a 1440 DPI inkjet printer doesn't become 1440 PPI; the printer uses multiple ink dots to render each pixel. For photographers, PPI is the number that matters when sizing images for print.
Print Size & PPI Calculator FAQ
? What PPI do I need for a high quality print?
300 PPI is the standard for fine art and gallery prints viewed up close. For larger prints viewed from a few feet away, 150โ240 PPI is usually indistinguishable from 300. Match PPI to viewing distance rather than always aiming for 300.
? How do I find my image's pixel dimensions?
In most photo editors: File โ Image Properties (or Image โ Canvas Size). On a phone, open the photo in your gallery app and check the Details or Info section. The two numbers you need are width and height in pixelsโor pick a camera preset in this calculator.
? Does changing PPI reduce image quality?
Not in this calculator. Changing PPI here is resizing, not resamplingโit changes how densely pixels are packed on paper, but doesn't add or remove pixels. Quality loss happens when software resamples (interpolates new pixels) during upscaling.
? What's the difference between PPI and DPI?
PPI (pixels per inch) describes the digital image density. DPI (dots per inch) is a printer specโhow many ink dots the printer lays down per inch. For practical purposes photographers can treat them as roughly interchangeable, but the image file only has PPI.
? How large can I print a 24-megapixel photo?
A typical 24 MP image (6000 ร 4000 px) prints at 20 ร 13.3 inches at 300 PPI. At 150 PPIโfine for wall art viewed from 4โ6 feetโthat same file prints at 40 ร 26.7 inches. Use the calculator to see exact sizes for your own pixel dimensions.